Phencylidine is a dissociativeanaesthetic, like Ketamine, which means it "detaches the body from the mind". First synthesised in 1926 it was clinically trialled as as an anaesthetic for use in man, under the tradename Sernyl (UK patent No. 836,083, issued in 1960 and US patent No. 3,097,136 issued in 1965) in the late 50's and early 60's, however its adverse effects were judged to be too severe for it to be used clinically. First appearing on the streets in 1967, it quickly became popular as a recreational drug. It may be found in dilute powder form alone, or admixed with LSD, amphetamine, cocaine, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), mescaline or other drugs. It is easily synthesised in a make-shift laboratory although this leads to impurities which can cause it to appear in various shades from tan to dark brown.